Action taken: PCE and TCE were initially detected in the late 1990s in groundwater samples collected as part of a petroleum underground storage tank assessment. Following this discovery, ADEQ installed groundwater monitoring wells and conducted soil-gas surveys during the preliminary investigation (PI) to assess the site. Two areas of elevated PCE concentrations were found during the PI.

In 2016, Fashion Cleaners entered into ADEQ’s Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) to address cleanup of their portion of the contamination. Sample results showed this site as separate from the 7th Street and Missouri Avenue WQARF site.

During the remedial investigation (RI) from 2016 to 2018 for the 7th Street and Missouri Avenue site, additional groundwater wells were installed to fully characterize the groundwater plume. Also the extent of contaminated soil-gas was determined. The RI identified the southwest corner of 7th Street and Missouri Avenue as the likely source area. At the southwest corner, sample data indicated that PCE levels in soil exceeded the non-residential Soil Remediation Level (SRL). Groundwater data also confirmed this location had the highest concentrations of PCE in groundwater at the site. The Final RI report was released on Nov. 22, 2018.

Research into the history of the area found that a former dry cleaner operated in this location prior to the current building, which was constructed in 1986. Data also confirmed that the nearby Fashion Cleaners and its ongoing remedial activities through the VRP is a separate release, unrelated to the 7th Street and Missouri Avenue Site | View Fashion Cleaners VRP Site Information >

In October 2018 ADEQ installed a Soil Vapor Extraction System (SVE) as an Early Response Action (ERA) for source control. In November 2018, ADEQ installed an Ozone Sparge Injection pilot test system to evaluate the technology as a possible remedy for groundwater at the site.

ADEQ issued the Feasibility Study (FS) in November 2019. The FS report evaluated three different approaches to address the soil and groundwater contamination at the site. Within the FS, ADEQ selected a soil remedy which included expanding the blower and efficiency of the current SVE system. As a groundwater remedy, ADEQ selected expanding the current Ozone Sparge Injection pilot test system at and near the source area and monitored natural attenuation (MNA) for the diffuse plume. The FS also described contingencies, including additional ozone sparge areas and wellhead treatment for nearby groundwater extraction wells.

ADEQ has further detailed the proposed remedy in the Proposed Remedial Action Plan, which was released for public comment on March 26. The public comment period ends June 23, 2020 | View Public Notice/Related Documents >

Community Involvement Activities: Established and merged with the Central Phoenix Community Advisory Board (CAB). For more information on joining the CAB, or to be included on the site mailing list, please contact the community involvement coordinator. A list of CAB members and their contact information is available in the Community Involvement Plan (CIP) | View CIP >